2-982-342 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The "Welcome" Nugget, 1858. '...this huge nugget, stated to be the largest piece of virgin gold ever discovered...Mr. Haywood, Receiver and Paymaster at the Sub-Treasury, Ballarat, forwarded the sketch from which the accompanying Engraving was taken. [It] was found...at Bakery Hill, Ballarat, [Australia] about 190 feet below the surface, and is a very splendid specimen of almost pure gold. The dimensions are as follow:-Greatest length, 17 inches; breadth, 11 inches; and thickness, 7 inches...the value...[is] about £10,000...It bears upon its sides the marks of several hard blows from the pick...How many more such glittering treasures lie waiting for the pick of the plodding old ground-miner nobody can say; but that many similar masses have yet to be unearthed it is fair to presume...Considerable excitement of a pleasurable kind followed the announcement of the discovery in the papers, and, when the valuable mass was taken to the Bank and Treasury, large crowds were in attendance to catch a glimpse of the 'Welcome'...The huge lump was forthwith removed to the Exchange, and exhibited to the public, at an entrance fee of one shilling'. From "Illustrated London News", 1858.